Monday, 1 April 2013

How To Dress For An Interview

Dressing for a job interview can be difficult – you don’t want to
go too formal, or too casual. It’s an imprecise science, but we can
offer you some general advice so you’ll make a great first impression.
Whether you land that dream job or not, follow these tips and at the
very least be ready for celebratory – or consolatory – drinks
immediately after.

Tops

The first thing your interviewer is going to see is your shirt, so
make it count. A white shirt runs the risk of being too plain, and
anything too dark will generate a negative impression. A light colored
shirt will communicate a positive attitude to a potential employer, and a
pale blue shirt will match almost every jacket in your closet. If the
interview is more casual, you might feel more confident adding a
sweater, or going with a patterned shirt, but stay simple with colors
and patterns.

Bottoms

In a more relaxed office environment, you might be able to get away with
a pair of khakis, or even a nice pair of jeans, but we’re not all so
lucky. If you’re unsure, khakis are a great compromise option. Get a
decent pair that looks crisp and new. If you don’t know how to make your
khakis look great, you can always ask your mom *winks*. Remember
though, when wearing khakis or slacks, you must tuck your shirt in.

The Suit

The old standard, a suit can almost never go wrong; even if its too
formal for the interview, your potential employer still see’s you
looking your best. Here are some tips for wearing a suit to a job
interview:

- Never keep the suit jacket b*ttoned up while sitting – it’s not made for it, and will make you look awkward

- Don’t wear a brand new suit – you’ll look and feel stiff.

- Don’t b*tton the bottom b*tton on a suit jacket

- Finally, have your suit pressed beforehand to ensure you look your best

Accessories

You’re only half done now, as the accessories are what turn a regular
interviewee into a potential employee. Keep the following in mind:

- Wristwatches should be worn on your off-hand
- Your shoes and belt should always match
- The metal on your body – cufflinks, belt buckle, tie-pin – should be coordinated
- A pocket square is always too formal in an interview setting
- If you’re unsure of the official policy regarding tattoos and jewelry, keep them out of sight and off your body.

The Interview Itself

Be confident, be polite, and be flexible. Make eye-contact, don’t
give evasive answers, and don’t shuffle around too much. Most of all,
give a good solid handshake. It can be difficult, but stick to a few
simple tips. Only initiate a handshake after eye-contact has been made.
Only offer your hand once your bodies are facing one another, and don’t
leave it hanging too long if you’re shot down.

If you get into a handshake, mirror their actions, and begin to
release after two pumps. You can never be too prepared, so check out the
company online to get a sense of how they operate. Lastly, always
follow up, it might be the hardest part when you’re in that state of
uncertainty, but it keeps you in the employers mind and shows
initiative; all in one quick call.

Closing Tips

These are just some general guidelines, but one of the most useful
sources of information can be the hiring officer. Don’t be afraid to ask
what kind of clothing would be most appropriate for the interview,
it’ll save you a lot of unnecessary worry. If you’re bad at keeping
eye-contact, try using looking at the spot just above the interviewer’s
eyes. But don’t stare them down – this is a job interview, not a duel.

Lastly, it takes a real man to accept his failures gracefully. If you
don’t get the job, politely ask the employer why, and if they have any
advice for you. Finally, always thank them for the opportunity and
request they keep you in mind should another opening emerge.